Hospitality sector in Khajuraho in a slump

While the hotel and hospitality business is booming in other states, it's languishing in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Poor infrastructure, frequent power cuts, poor law and order and no branding of Khajuraho have forced the hospitality industry to cut rates by 25-30 per cent.

Five-star hotels in the temple-town of Khajuraho and the historical town Orchha, which used to have about 90 per cent occupancy, hardly have 25-30 per cent occupancy. The Radisson, the Grand and Usha Hotels have slashed their rates, and are offering special packages to tourists.

The Radisson has launched a special package for local tourists from the state at Rs 1,499 inclusive of all taxes. This includes overnight accommodation in a luxurious room and full buffet breakfast. A deluxe single room is normally available at Rs 4,500 a night. Similarly Hotel Usha Bundela is offering 25 per cent flat discount on all accommodations.

"We are offering 25 per cent discount. This offer will last till 30 September," Pradeep Sabharwal, general manager, Hotel Usha Bundela, told Business Standard.

The Grand Temple View, a new hotel of Bharat Hotels Ltd, is also offering 25 per cent discount on its rooms and suites at Khajuraho.

"Against the card rates of Rs 13,500, we are offering a deluxe room at Rs 8,000 and a suite at Rs 9,500, while a luxury suite is offered at Rs 12,500 against the card rate of Rs 22,000. Our presidential suite is being offered at Rs 20,000 against the card rate of Rs 30,000," a hotel official informed Business Standard.

Package offers are also available at a maximum of Rs 12,999 for 2 nights and 3 days stay. "This includes airport pick up and drop half-day sight-seeing, and a complimentary wine bottle," said the official.

The hoteliers are expecting surge in tourist influx once Khajuraho is connected to railways.

"Against the base-tariff of Rs 2,950, we are offering our single occupancy at Rs 1,500, which includes breakfast. This offer was launched from April 1. The occupancy is 30 per cent this year. It is expected to pick up by October," Nitendra Singh Rathore, promoter of Hotel Amer Mahal, a newly constructed star category hotel in Orchha, told Business Standard over telephone.

The tourism sector in the neighbouring temple-town Orchha is also facing a slump due to poor law and order. Since Orchha shares border with Uttar Pradesh, local police hardly take any action to check petty crimes. The issue had been raised in the state Assembly by local MLA last year. An idea of "tourist police" floated by former chief minister Babulal Gaur has been kept on shelves.